5 Best Hotels in Vanua Levu, Fiji

Its scuba diving, children's program, and food have long made this one of Fiji's top resorts. Each day, kids have a choice of activities including village and market trips, rain-forest hikes, and organized snorkel trips that are often led by the resident marine biologist. A gorgeous split-level pool area has one part spilling into a second with tiled counters for bar service and luxurious canopied daybeds, making this possibly the chicest and most comfortable pool area in Fiji. The Oceanfront bure have newer furniture and larger closets than Garden Views as well as views of the ocean, but massage bure partially block the view of two. Both types have dual vanities set in attractive stone-tile counters and walk-in showers, and sleep four. Oceanfront suites have the addition of a double daybed in a front corner room and actually have smaller porches. Lunch and dinner feature international menus with choices of three appetizers, three or four entrées, and three desserts prepared by senior chefs the resort has trained overseas, and vegetarians will be extremely pleased. The first two kids under 12 stay free.

Somewhere between the Cousteau Resort and the hostels (literally and figuratively) is Daku. Its studio-style ocean-view bure are underwhelming and, along with the rest of the property, across the street from the ocean. However, two self-contained ocean-view villas have air-conditioning and private plunge pools. A decent pool with lounge chairs runs alongside the restaurant, which offers curries and Fijian fare. The resort hosts seven-day workshops ranging from novel writing to singing, and yoga to snorkeling. Fishing, snorkeling, biking, kayaking, and village tours are on offer, and rates include round-trip airport transfer.

Like a man buying an expensive convertible, this classic Fiji resort has added fourth and fifth room categories to weather middle-age. The ocean-view bure are outdated-looking and lack an ocean view worth noting. For a tad more, the two-bedroom Fairway Palms bure have pleasant white tones and wood furnishings, indoor and outdoor showers, and private plunge pools, although they sit on the golf course and nearly on each other. Up in the hills are four villas ranging from one to three bedrooms. Two-story Edgewater bure are sleek and modern, fully self-contained, and have plunge pools and docks. Golf, tennis, volleyball courts, and a waterslide make this a great family choice. Children under 12 stay free.

Motivational speaker Tony Robbins' resort is an exclusive, lush affair emphasizing both an active and relaxing holiday. Hiking through rain forest or to the resort's own blow hole, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bicycles, and even bowling encourage guests to their feet. Giving guests a perfect out is the magnificent 10,000-square-foot spa with four soaking tubs overlooking the blow hole and the Koro Sea. All bure have private decks and large walk-in showers. Honeymoon Bure feature two-person spa tubs and deck-side plunge pools with ocean view. Large air-conditioned villas and a 2,000-square-foot two-bedroom "Tatadra (Dream) House" have private pools, exceptional views, and modern entertainment systems. Motivational conferences are often held here as part of packages. Three-course lunches and dinners include a choice of two appetizers, three entrées (including a vegetarian option), and two desserts.

The only private island resort off the northern coast of Vanua Levu makes some other "hideaways" look like they're in traffic. The island is blessed with gorgeous white-sand beaches and its proximity to the magnificent but less-visited Great Sea Reef is a real treat for divers; snorkeling is great right off the beach. You can also fish, sail, and surf November–March. The spacious, simply furnished bure have a colonial feel. Beachfronts, a small lawn away from the sand, have queen-size beds and private rear patios. Honeymoon bure are farther apart with large porch lounges and open-plan sink areas leading out to their private patios. Meals are served whenever and wherever guests want, perhaps in the open-air dining pavilion or at a table and chairs set up on the beach. The emphasis is on fresh-caught seafood such as crab and lobster, often artfully presented in their shells. The fact that a wine cellar stocks some of the all-included alcohol accentuates the resort's sense of class.